Of course, stealing and leaking top-secret NSA documents resulted in him being charged with “theft of government Property,” “unauthorized communication of national defense information” and “willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person,” but his efforts have helped inform consumers that they are, in fact, under surveillance.

Now that people know their phones and laptops might reveal their secrets, however, how do they protect them? According to Snowden, it’s actually pretty simple.

Recently, the whistleblower showed Shane Smith, the founder of Vice’s HBO show, how to remove a cell phone’s camera and microphone. This effectively makes the phone ‘go black’, protecting one’s data for people and governments who may be trying to access it. For obvious reasons, this information could be very valuable.

As Wiredrelays, the process takes some minor electrical knowledge and the proper tools, but the video helps make it easier. Watch it above.

Credit: Vice

When journalists met Snowden in Hong Kong after he evaded arrest in the United States, they were informed that the activist doesn’t regret his actions because the American people deserve to know their freedom is being compromised.

“I’m willing to sacrifice [my former life] because I can’t in good conscience allow the U.S. government to destroy privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they’re secretly building,” he said.

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